Simple answer 35/2 ZE gives the most true to life street shots EVER in 35mm, period. And a lot of the time it translates to 3D, and in some cases really nice pop..

The 50/2 MP ZE gives the most crackling pop but ONLY at certain distances, and apertures. 3D is there...
The 100/2 MP ZE is in the same boat, but even more tricky then the 50mm.. And less so on pop but more so on 3D.

The C/Y lenses have it here and there (haven't used all the N lenses), the older 100, and some of the ZM stuff is decent 50/2 ZM (funny to replicate) and 35/2.8 ZM is pretty good at it.
As for other rangefinder lenses you can forget about Leica, it seems they go after a totally different aesthetic IMO, although not bad by any means, just not what I consider 3D or pop really...
No experience with Sony Alpha BTW.

I seem to have a hard time putting down the ZE lenses in favor of my MFD Hassy... That's how much I like them!
Think I should have invested in a 503 setup rather then an HC system or maybe contax MFD..

Any who, just my opinion.. but cannot go wrong with the ZEs or ZFs (depending on what body you shoot with).

EDIT: Have to admit nixland's #2 Leica Summicron 90/2 shot is pretty good, which is something I found really hard to get from my 90/2...

EDIT: Have to admit nixland's #2 Leica Summicron 90/2 shot is pretty good, which is something I found really hard to get from my 90/2...

Well, I don't always get pop-out image from my Cron 90/2 either
I think what makes the pop-out image from this lens is it's sharpness (micro-contrast) and the way it renders the OOF area. I hope I can find time to make a comparison shot with my other lens to show it.
But off course the condition of the scenes and the lighting at that moment also have great contribution to make a pop-out image.
In #2 photo, I think the 2 out of focus men behind the front men gave some contribution to make the photo has more pop-out illusion. Don't you think so?

Hehe, glad it's not just me then... And yeah OOF area's are fine, but a really superb 3D lens can do it with no OOF areas..

Yes agreed, a lot was at play, the two guys behind, as well as light conditions and contrast from environmental factors (dark bikes, light ground etc)..

TomserRegistered: Oct 08, 2009Total Posts: 156Country: Germany

I understand 3D-pop depends on lighting and background composition. If lighting isn't favourable, then there is PP .
If one doesn't understand how to control either of those, there is always buying expensive lenses and getting lucky .